Coventry against The Tractor Boys, Leicester v Derby, along with Additional EFL Action Previews
Greetings for the full night of EFL and international soccer action. We'll be covering key Championship encounters plus the pivotal final group games in the Afcon competition.
Opening Notes
Oh, hi folks. Welcome to what is reportedly this penultimate soccer clockwatch of 2025. We have an extensive Football League slate, kicking off with Coventry v Ipswich at 6pm, and we’ll also be keeping at least a third of an eye on the two night fixtures from Group A at this Afcon: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
We'll be focussing on these fixtures, all 19:45 kick-offs unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- Comoros v The Eagles (19:00)
- Zambia v Morocco (19:00)
Championship
- The Sky Blues v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- Leicester v Derby
- Boro versus The Tigers
- Millwall v The Robins
- The Red Dragons versus North End
Third Tier Fixture
- The Bluebirds v Stevenage
Latest Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Team News
The evening's opener, between the teams who are first and third in the Championship, promises to be a cracker. These are the two XIs.
Coventry City (4-2-3-1) Rushworth; the right-back, Woolfenden, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, the captain; the winger, the attacking midfielder, Mason-Clark; the striker.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, the youngster, the player.
Ipswich Town (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, the centre-half, the defender, the left-back; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, the playmaker, Jack Clarke; Azon.
Substitutes: The goalkeeper, Young, the midfielder, Humphreys, Cajuste, the winger, the forward, the attacker, Akpom.
Referee Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: First Group Scenarios
The situation is complex. It always is when some but not all third-placed sides qualify. This is the current state before tonight’s final round of matches.
- The Atlas Lions 4pts, GD+2
- Mali 2 points, GD0 (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2pts, GD0 (with 1 goal for)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
Briefly, Morocco is likely safe though they will aim to defeat Zambia and win their pool. Zambia probably need a draw or better against the hosts. Comoros probably need to beat their rivals, who should advance if they get a draw.
Many possibilities, various outcomes, plenty of scenarios.
Angola v Egypt Latest
The conclusion to the second group at this Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. To avoid spoilers, avoid following that coverage.
Championship Table Snapshot
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coventry | 23 | 31 | 51 |
| 2 | Middlesbrough | 23 | 9 | 43 |
| 3 | Ipswich | 23 | 15 | 38 |
| 4 | Hull | 23 | 2 | 38 |
| 5 | Preston North End | 23 | 7 | 37 |
| 6 | Bristol City | 23 | 7 | 36 |
| 7 | Millwall | 23 | -6 | 36 |
| 8 | Watford | 23 | 4 | 35 |
| 9 | QPR | 23 | -2 | 35 |
| 10 | Stoke | 23 | 7 | 34 |
| 11 | Derby | 23 | 1 | 32 |
| 12 | Southampton | 23 | 4 | 31 |
| 13 | Wrexham | 23 | 2 | 31 |
| 14 | Leicester | 23 | -1 | 31 |
| 15 | Birmingham | 23 | 1 | 30 |
| 16 | West Brom | 23 | -5 | 28 |
| 17 | Charlton | 22 | -6 | 27 |
| 18 | Blackburn | 22 | -4 | 26 |
| 19 | Sheff Utd | 23 | -5 | 26 |
| 20 | Swansea | 23 | -7 | 26 |
| 21 | Oxford Utd | 23 | -8 | 22 |
| 22 | Portsmouth | 22 | -10 | 22 |
| 23 | Norwich | 23 | -9 | 21 |
| 24 | Sheff Wed | 22 | -27 | -8 |
